So you got a DUI or DWI. On top of the inconvenience of it all, now you have to file an SR-22.
It might feel like the end of the world, but it’s not. If no one got hurt, consider yourself lucky and view this experience as an opportunity to learn – a wake-up call. As a wise driver’s ed instructor once said, a car is like a loaded gun. And if you don’t understand that analogy then you shouldn’t be driving one.
So here you are, about to file for your SR-22 insurance. What now? How can you use this experience as an opportunity to get your life back on track?
Silver Linings: Getting Your Life Back on Track after an SR-22
SR-22 insurance is typically required for drivers who have been convicted of a DUI or DWI. Filing an SR-22 indicates to the state and your insurance company that you’re a high-risk driver, which is why you’re charged a higher rate.
The higher cost of the insurance can be alarming, and it often leads to lifestyle changes that can have a positive impact on your life. For example, some people may choose to sober up and avoid drinking entirely, while others may simply cut back on their alcohol consumption.
Either way, your SR-22 serves a catalyst for change.
Here are some of the silver linings of having to file for an SR-22 and how you can use this experience as a learning lesson.
1. Don’t Drink and Drive
This important piece of advice is often given, but it’s worth repeating. If you’ve been drinking, don’t get behind the wheel of a car. Instead, call a cab or Uber, or ask a sober friend for a ride.
2. Be Honest with Yourself About Your Drinking
If you’ve been arrested for a DUI, you may have a problem with alcohol. Take some time to reflect on your drinking habits and why you felt the need to drink before getting behind the wheel. Are you using alcohol to cope with stress or anxiety? Do you drink more than you should?
Alcohol dependency is a serious issue. It often indicates that you’re not addressing a more serious problem beneath the surface. If this is the case, consider speaking with a counselor or therapist. Life is difficult, and there’s no shame in seeking help. Nonetheless, it’s important to be honest with yourself about your drinking before you can make any other changes.
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3. Seek Professional Help If You Need It
If you think you’re struggling with alcoholism, there’s no shame in seeking professional help. Alcoholism isn’t a choice; it’s a disease. And it’s important to get treatment if you’re struggling with it. There are many different types of treatment available, including 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous, so find one that works for you.
4. Make Amends for Your Mistakes
If you’ve been involved in an accident or caused damage while driving under the influence, take responsibility for your actions and make things right. This may mean apologizing to those who were affected by your actions, paying for damages, or taking other steps to make amends. It also means reflecting on your past and thinking about ways to become the best version of yourself going forward.
5. Get Your Finances Back on Track
SR-22 insurance is inevitably more expensive than regular insurance. That’s because the state and insurance companies view you as a greater liability based on your track record.
But if you got out of your incident unscathed, who actually cares?
The truth is that health is wealth. Money comes and goes. And, for many people, having to pay a higher rate can actually motivate them to get out of debt and start saving for the future.
As the great spiritual teacher Lousie Hay says, “my bills are an affirmation of my ability to pay.” What she means is that, if someone gives you a bill, they believe in you; or, rather, they believe in your ability to pay it. Therefore, take your financial commitments seriously and pay your bills with pride. She even goes as far as to say that you should love your bills. Doing so will give you the confidence to attract more money and abundance into your life.
Get Your Life Back on Track after an SR-22
SR-22 Adviser can help you get back on the road sooner. We help our customers navigate the process of filing an SR-22 along with offering solutions for lowering rates afterward. Visit our partner’s website to get a quote for SR-22 and start the important process of shopping for the best deal available.